Tag Archives: Robin Bennett

Don Miguel Ruiz wrote the book, “The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom” in 1997 and it’s still one of those books I will review and recommend to this day, and here is why it may be time for you to dip your toes into this deep and refreshing pool of wisdom.

Let me give them to you in the simplest form so you can think about them and if you are living them and why one I’m going to stress today could be the key to higher levels of success for you and your business.

The Four Agreements:

Be Impeccable with Your Word

Don’t Take Anything Personally

Don’t Make Assumptions

Always Do Your Best

Today let’s unpack number 2 – Don’t take anything personally. Oh how I wish this were easy, but I have found that it’s not.

So here are some tips you can use immediately to help you when:

Someone does not like your selections, or taste, or offer or service.

A person tells you something that feels hurtful or unkind

You ask for someone’s opinion and they give what you consider brutal feedback

Someone cuts you off mid-sentence or on the freeway

The person you are trying to serve is distracted or rude

ALL of these actions are about THEM – not you, not ever.

Then the question becomes how do I deal with this person?

(I really wanted to say, rude or uninformed person – but wouldn’t that be a judgment?) Alas, my humanness is ever present!

The two tools or tactics I use (and which have helped me in countless ways) are:

1. Simply say, “Thank you” And stop talking.

They will be startled no doubt, they may continue on with their thoughts or tirade for a moment however since you have not defended yourself or your business or actions, you’ve simply thanked them, the exchange will end soon.

Saying thank you for any feedback, criticism or rude behavior is not normal so it will help you to – stay calm and allow them to stop. Remember this is NOT about you, so saying, “Thank you.” or even, “Thank you for being yourself” will make this exchange less painful and maybe help the other person become more aware.

2. If Thank You isn’t appropriate and they are actually mad, or brutal in their feedback, you can then simply say, “Forgive me”

Remember this is not about you, but when you ask for forgiveness for things that aren’t about you, it stops the other person from continuing – it puts the ball in their court and what kind of person doesn’t forgive someone else? Not one you want in your life or business, right?

Note, that I did not suggest you say, “I’m sorry” you may and probably aren’t sorry and that sometimes keeps the other person going with, “You should be!” When you say, “Forgive me? Or Please Forgive me?” you have stopped them and asked them a question which shifts the energy.

There is one last thing I sometimes do… it’s kind of silly but has helped me when I’m in a group, I put on an invisible suit of armor– no one can see it but nothing negative is getting in! That way I can stick to this wonderful and life changing agreement to:

Not Take Anything Personally

Your feedback is always welcome! And – I won’t take it personally!

Blessings, Shawna

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Call for Nominations for 2018 Woman of the Year

The Pet Industry Woman of the Year is in for AMAZING things! Some of them are:

A full year of media and executive coaching with WIPIN President Shawna Schuh, a Certified Speaking Professional and Executive Coach;

Exposure in pet industry media outlets throughout the year;

A feature on the cover of the WIPIN Top Women in the Pet Industry Winter Magazine;

Appearances and recognition at pet industry events;

Gifts and treats provided by other top women in the pet industry.

Nominations will be accepted now, 2018 and the entry fee is $59 for WIPIN members and $99 for non-members. (please note – this nominal fee is to support doing a not-to-be missed awards show when winners are announced live)

There are five (5) Categories in the Pet Industry Woman of the Year – please nominate yourself in one of these categories only – there will be a winner in each of the categories and then out of these five an overall Pet Industry Woman of the Year will be announced.

Any Pet Industry Woman of the Year is: Inspirational, exhibits leadership skills, has drive, knows about giving and connecting and is creating a wonderful reputation for herself.

Advocate Category – This woman is a giver at heart and is an advocate for pets – She has or does something to benefit animals and the humans that love them.

Entrepreneur Category – One business or many – this woman is the big thinker and has a team or employees to help make her vision happen and grow.

Rising Star Category – This woman is new to the pet space or is in a new role. Rapid growth and high performance are key to why she is a rising star.

Solopreneur Category – Doing it all and doing it with grace describes this woman. She is a solo shop – though of course is smart about hiring her CPA and other businesses services. The rest of the time she does her business on her own.

You are a woman in the pet industry, you are doing great things – YOU are the most qualified to tell your story – Step up and do this now – Just answering the questions will help you on your journey and isn’t getting better your goal? Nominate yourself now!